Feed mechanism



Oct. 12, 1948. w. E. TWAMLEY FEED MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed A rii 17, 1945 Oct. 12, 1948. w. E. TWAMLEY FEED MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1945 Patented Get. 12, 1948 S TATES I ICE FEED MECHANISM William E. TWamIey, Provide rice, R.- 1., 'a ssiglnor to 'B'rownand Sharpe -Ma'nuitacturing Company; a; corporation of Rhode' ls'land Application April 17, 194:5,"Serial'Nm 5885829 Claims.

The present inventionrelates toimprovements in fe'ed mechanismior'screw and similar machines for fashioning: articles successively from bar-stock, which machines are providedwith a hollow rotating spindle through'which the work is fed by successive I stepped movements against a stock-stop preparatory to-the performance of the "severalfashioning-andcutting-off, operations required for the manufacture of each successive article by the machine;

It is a principal object of the invention to providefofusewith automatic screw and similar machines, 'a'novel-and improvedfeed mechanism -of the general type comprising -'a stock tube in alignment with the machine'spindle anda'pusher operating therein for-supporting and'for imparting stepped advancing movements to --a feeding bar of stock; which mechanism will'be simple in constructiomeflicient in operatiomand-will be well adapted'for'the rapid and convenient re- :plen'ishing :of 'the' machine by the operator as the bar feedin inthe machine is used up.

In'the preferred form of the invention, the

stock tube with itsassociat'ed pusher'for sup- :portingandfeeding bar stock into the machine is carried on two standards, being slidably "mounted adjacent its rear end ina'bracket'Which is swivelle'd onthe rear standar'd,-and mounted at its'forward-end" on' a swinging :arm-hinged to the near standard to provide for a lateral swinging movement of 'theiorward end-of-the stock tube out of alignment with the'hollowspindle ior the -loading-=-of=bar stock' therein. A manual stock' tube locking lever provided witha cammed locking surfaceserves to-1ock thestocktube in nections :operatedfrom the-feed slide of the -machine including a; disconnectible link, 'a feedpawland ratchet, and a friction driving connec- -tion interposed between the ratchet and 'the drum; Associatedwith the driving connections above described, isa checking ratchet which is secured-to turn with the drum, and a cooperating spring-pressed pawl which; is normally-operative tovprevent -areverse unwinding movement ofthe drum.

Further inaccordance with "the invention, an

improvedmechanism is provided for automatically stopping the machine upon'exhau'stion of the feeding bar gascawmmin' the illustratdform of the invention 'eompnses' anabutment carried by the pusher and arranged for engagement'with a stop member as the pusherreaches the extreme limit of its advancing movement. This abutment is constructed and arranged for adjustment on the pusher longitudinally of the 'sto'cktube, and includes an indicatingde vice to assist the operator in adjustingthe-abut'inent to stop the machine whenthelength of the feeding bar-stock has been reduced to'a thatwill i101, permit the completion of one full length article for which the machine has-been set up.

Further in accordance with the invention, mechanism-isf provided for controlling the operation of thejdrumand'cable actuating mechanism to--prevent inadvertent rotation of the drum by the operatorin a direction'to unwind the cable, with a-conseduent snarling-of the cable'under its guard. A primary consideration in the operation of theidrum and came" mechanism 'is to maintain the cable in a substantially taut or straightened "position at all times, I To this 'en'd, it is important that movement of the pusher and wind-up drum in the wind-up direction be instituted only" by the manual or-power'rotation .of the drum, and that movement of the pusher and drum in the opposite direction as, for example, when the *pusheris moved rearwardly' to its starting posi tion, be effected onlybyimovement of the pusher itself. During the normal operation of the machine-in-which the drum isfirst moved ina'wind- -updirection'manuallyto advance the new bar of stock-through thehollow spindle of the machine .intooperating-position, and-is thereafter given a stepped advancing movement following the severing of each successively formed article therefrom through the power operation of the machinathe --checking ratchetfand pawl above dscribedare effective to -prevent 1 any possible inadvertent movement of the 1mm in the reverse or unwinding;direction. In accordance with the invention, mechanism is provided which isrendered operative automatically .upon the release of and move- -ment of the stock tubelaterally. to the leading position, to render the checking ratchetan'd pawl inoperative, and thus to permit thefpusher'tobe c drawn rarwardlywith an'accom'panying unwindiingir riovementof the drum either bydi'rect hianual operation or .byforcing-ia new bar of jstockfrearwaraiy intoth' sto k tube. 'In "accordance with this feature of 'the invention, "a tail is provided on he J spring-pressed checking pawl which is arranged to be engaged'by'the'feed'tube locking lever upon movement of the lever to its unlocking position.

With the above stated and other objects in view as may hereinafter appear, the several features of the invention consist also in the de vices, combinations and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, which together with the advantages to be obtained thereby will be readily understood by one skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a detail plan View of a feed mechanism for an automatic screw machine illustrating in a preferred form the several features of the invention, only so much of the machine and feed mechanism associated therewith being shown as is believed necessary to illustrate the connection of the present invention therewith; Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of substantially the parts shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view on a smaller scale of the feed mechanism and of the rotating spindle of an automatic screw machine, the parts being shown with the forward end of the stock tube swung to one side to the loading position; and Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

The feed mechanism which forms the subjectmatter of the present invention is shown in the drawings as embodied in an automatic screw machine of the general type illustrated in the patent to Rich No. 2,120,842, which machine is provided with a hollow rotating spindle generally designated at 6 and a reciprocated feed slide 8 supported on ways II] at the rear side of the spindle 6, In accordance with the usual construction of these machines, motion is imparted to the slide 8.from a harmonic motion producing cam l2 which acts through connections including a follower roll Hi and cam lever 16 supported to turn ona fixed pivot 18 to drive the feed slide 8.

The stock ,feeding mechanism of the present invention takes the form of a pusher generally designated at 20 which is adapted for engagement with the rear end of the feeding bar of stock and is mounted to slide, within a bar stock :supportingstock tube 22 inaxial alignment with the rotating hollow spindle 6 of the machine. As

best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, the

stock tube 22 is supported for axial movement in friction bearings 26, 28 in a bracket 36 swivelled on a rearstandard 32 bolted to the floor. At its forward end the stock tube 22 is rigidly secured in a bracket 34 which is pivotally supported on a swinging arm 36 mounted to turn on a standard 38 bolted to the floor adjacent the machine. A collar lfl rigidly secured to the standard 38 provides an axial thrust bearing support for the ported on the bracket 36 swings about its pivotal .mounting onthe standard 132, and is permitted 'to slide rearwardly throughthe friction bear-' ings 26, 28 in the bracket. The swinging movement of the. arm 36 and stock tube 22 to the loading positionis limited by en agement of a downwardly 'extending'pin 421011 the arm 36 with an abutment formed on a stopcollar 44 secured to the standard 38. 1 z a A manually operable device is provided for swinging the stock tube from one to the other of surfa'ce82 is provided in the abutment'rod H3 and .end of the standard 38.

moved into engagement with an adjustable stop screw 54 carried on the laterally offset forward end of a supporting arm 56 formed on the upper The arm 56 is provided at its rear end with an upwardly extending ear in which is mounted a second stop screw 58 for engagement with the rear face of the bracket is, so that for the locking position of the lever handie 46 shown in Figs 1 and 2, the stock tube is rigidly clamped in its operating position by the engagement of the lock screw 54 and 58 respectively with the cammed locking surface 52 .of lever arm 46, and with the rear face of the bracket 34. In order to movethe stock tube to its loading position, the operator after disconnecting the feed link hereinafter more fully to be described, moves the lever handle 46 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the cam'abutment 52 is moved out of alignment with the screw stop 54, and then pulls the entire assembly forward, swinging the supporting arm,36 about its pivot, so that the loading end of the stock tube is moved forwardly or laterally to the loading position shownin Figs. 3 and 4, out of alignment with the hollow spindle 6 of the machine. l

The pusher 20 identified as a cylindrical element having a freely'rotatable stock engaging nose and arranged to slide freely within the stock tube, is connected by a spacin rod 62 with an operating number 64 also slidable within the tube and provided with an upwardly extending flange 66 which extends through a longitudinally extending slot 68 formed in the upper surface of the stocktube. The operating member 6 3 in cluding the flange 66 has mounted thereon a finger control 69 to enable the operator readily to withdraw the pusher by hand. The operating member 64' and flange 66 also carr a forwardly extending abutment rod lc'which is freely adjustable longitudinall of the control member 6%.

'The abutment member '16 is provided at its forward end with a cam surface 12 which is arranged to be brought into engagement with a trip wardl curved lower end which is arranged to engage with a member forming part of the stop 'motion'of the machine. The camme'd'end l2 acts to trip the member 74 and thereby to render the stop member fiii operative, to stop the machine. In order that the abutment 16' may be positioned in accordance with the length of article being produced by the machine'to stop 7 the machine when a waste end of the feedingbar is too short to permit the completion of one article of such length, a cut-out forminga shouldered a cooperating cut out having a shouldered surface 84 is formed in a member 86 fixed to'the finger control 69 'into which an article such as those being produced by the machine can be laid.

Adjustment bf the-'abutm er it ba'r 1 --is then made so tha't thearticle is engaged at' oneend by the shouldered forward end 82 -of -the abutment: rod "and at its other eridby' the shoulderedisuri ace s l. f-Th e mechanism for advancing the push'er 2i) oompri-ses a*cable 90 which is connected to the finger cont-rol-"element' fia ofthe' pusher, an'd is arranged to be wound on a drumfi 92' loosely supported to turn-on a=-stud d carried byflan upwardly eXtending arm sfi formed integrallywith the 'bracket 34' and stocktube 22. -The drurn 92 is-COnnectd by meansof a friction clutch general-ly il'idicated-at 93 ---With theisleeve hu'b ofa feed ratchet 183 also -loosely mounted {on the stud fi l "A 'downwardly ei'rt'en'dlhg 'arm =l=i2 loosely "supported to turn on the 'sleeve hub *of th'e' fee'd ratchet I 00" has mbuntd-thereonzza; :feed -pawl 4 M which is s-pring pressed into engagement with-the ratchet "I00. Af'disoonhectiblei driviiig -lihk Hi5 6. be instantly checked by'engagement of the pawl I26-with the teeth of the ratchet I24.

The'operation of loading a new bar of stock into the machine and of putting the machine in operation thereon, will be briefly described as follows: As an'oldbar feeding in ther'machine is reduced to :a waste end too short for the completion'of one full length article of the sort being manufactured, the cammed 'abutment'EZ of the member engages with and rocks the stop lever Mpcausirigthe member 88 forming part of' the machine stop motion to be tripped, thus allowing thehnext motion ofthe cam lever E6 to stop the machine. lhe operator now pulls the pin [98 forwardly todisconnect the feed link i 85 which is permitted to drop to an inoperative hanging position. The operator then moves the locking 1ever46counterclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 2 to 'theposition shown in Fig. t, thus pivot'all 'cQnnected at one end to the -pawl-iarm {2O unlocking the stock tube and at the same time 'i '62' and at its other end toa -pin' 'tfi8 carried on an 'overarm projection I Wot-the feed slide -8 pro yides rneans for imparting reciprocatory movement to the pawl ar-m l02.and'*-paw1 l04. T-he element I08 is in'the-form'of an a'xially shiftable 5 means'of a torsion: spring-1 i 6 acti'ri 'theshank of the handle. When it is desired o--wi nd"the "drum- 92 in a w-ind 'updirectionitheoperator' has "only-toswing thehaiiidle l4 outwardly to a 'right angle position in which 'a l flattened shank porvtion of the 'handle is-enga'ge'd by a pin I29, and thereafter to apply pressure to the handle to'turn 1 the "drum in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown 1 in Figs; 1 :a'nd 2; Should" the operatorinadve'rtentlyattemp :to tur n'thehandlc an'd drum ina clockwise" dir'ection, which would :tend 'to unwind :and snarl the portion -o'f the :cable extending -tothe usher, :th'e "handlewill .:tend:-to"=swing= inward'ly'on its pivot to the inopera- 1 title-position.

In accordance withthe invention aa checking rmechanism is. provided in the :1 forrnxof'raJchecking ratchet-rand pawl: to. prevent rotational" movement "of i the I drum in' the reverse :for iclockwise direction. .ThiS" Il18'Cha,DiSIn"-8;Cl3S to prevent -any 2 inadvertent?movementwof'the f drum in the reverse 7 direction by the i operator during machineiop'era- 5 tion,:and acts -a'lsofto emaintainithe feedemechanism in .its I fullyadvanced positionasubsequent-tto each stepped advancing movement ofz'theifeed zpawl and'ratchet. The:checking'mechanismccomprises a checking ratchet i2 4 'sec'uredito theidrum and arranged to be z-a'cted iupon anspring- .ipressedipawl INF-which "is pivoted intermediate its length on '2 a pivot :p-in I28, 'vandiatwits"lower I end. is. formed with :an'offset I30 whichi'extends into the ipath of movement fofithe'rtail fl I o'f the 'manually operable i l'evel :46.' Unde'r'znormal iconditions': of .operationiin which'the feed'ratchet l fifl and. drum 92aresrotatedin= a counterclockwiserdi- -rection either manually: orby th'e operati'on of the power driven feed pawliand ratchetjthe checking pawl lis permitted to ride over the teeth of the ratchet i-Z S. Any tendency of the drum 92 to be rotated in'the I reverse or clockwise direction will' causing thechecking pawl i b to be moved out of engagement with the checking ratchet I24. The operator neXt grasps the finger control $9 to move the pusher manually in a rearward direction out of the hollow spindle 6 of the machine, this movement being accompanied by an unw-inding movement' of the cable 85 and drum '92 which is permitted by the'disengagement of the checking. pawl I26 from its ratchet 124 above 30 set forth. The stock tube is now swung for- :wardly to the loading position shown in "Fig 3, .and anew bar of stock is inserted into the stock tube from the forward end, thus causing the pusher to bemoved rearwardlyito its fully retracted position. The stock tube is now moved again into alignment with the hollow spindle 6 of the machine, and the locking "lever it is moved in aclockwisenirection to lock the stock tube in its 'operative po'sition and' to release the checking pawl IZSsothat it is brought into engage- -ment withits ratchet 2 3. The feed link N is operatively connected with the pin N33 to re establish the driving connection for the feed pawl 1M from the feed slide 8. Finally, the op- -etator -grasps andswings the"handle HQ outwardly toits limitingri'ght angle position with firelation to the feed ratchet I!!!) and then man- .ually rotates the handle and associated parts including the *drum'iil l in a counterclockwise ".di1'80ti0l1 to advance the leading end of the new barof stock throughthe hollow spindle 6 against .the usual stock stop of the machine. The machinenis now in a position to be again tripped into active operation.

It will be understood that the invention is not limitedtothespecific embodiment shown, and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanism for feeding bar stock into an :auto'rnaticscrew or similar machine having a hollow wo'rk ireceivin'g spindle, which comprises a -stock tube', supporting means on which the lead- 65 in'g 'endiof the tube'is shifta-ble between an operativapositi'on in alignment with the spindle andia loadingposition" out of alignment with the tspindle 'ial pusherni'ounted'within the stock tube,

V a drum and cable feeding device supported" in- .70-tegrally with thestock tube and connected to --advance'.th'e|pusher, a stepfeeding device actu- 'ated initin'ied releltion with the'operation of the finiachine, *afriction driving connection there- ?from'f'or advancingthe drum, manual, for I 5 irritating :the 'idruznn a :checking device "normally operative to'prevent a reverse cable unwinding movement of the drum, and a device for locking the tube in the operative position shiftable to release the tube and also to render the checking device inoperative.

2. A mechanism for feeding bar stock into an automatic screw or similar machine having a hollow work receiving spindle, which comprises a stock tu'be, supporting means on which the leading end of the tube is shiftable between an operative position in alignment with the spindle and a loading position out of alignment with the spindle, a pusher mounted within the stock tube, a drum and cable feeding device supported integrally with the stock tube and connected to advance the pusher, a step feeding device actuated in timed relation with the operation of the machine, a friction driving connection there-' from for advancing the drum, manual means for rotating the drum, a checking device including an element shiftable between operative and inoperative positions to prevent a reverse cable unwinding movement of the drum, yieldable means urging said element to the operative position, and a device shiftable between locking and release positions comprising a locking means for the tube and control means for said element opera'ble respectively in the locking position of said device to lock the tube and to permit movement of said element to its operative position, and in the release position of said device to release the tube and to move said element to the inoperative position.

3. A mechanism for feeding bar stock into an automatic screw or similar machine having a hollow work receiving spindle, which comprises a stock tube, supporting means on which the leading end of the tube is shiftable between an operative position in alignment with the spindle and a loading position out of alignment with the spindle, a pusher mounted within the stock tube, a drum and cable feeding device supported in tegrally with the stock tube and connected to advance the pusher, a step feeding device actuated in timed relation with the operation of the machine, a friction driving connection therefrom for advancing the drum, manual means for rotating the drum, a checking device arranged to be rendered operative and inoperative including yieldable means acting normally to render said device operative to prevent cable unwinding movement of the drum, and a control device 7 shiftable between locking and release positions comprising locking means for the tube and control means for said checking device operable respectively in the locking position of said control device to lock the tube and to render the checking device operative, and in the release position of said control device to release the tube and to render the checking device inoperative.

4. A mechanism for feeding bar stock into an automatic screw or similar machine having a hollow work receiving spindle, which comprises a stock tube, supporting means on which the leading end of the tube is shiftable between an op erative position in alignment with the spindle and a loading position out of alignment with the 'vance-the pusher, a stepped feeding device actuated in timed relation with the operation of the machine including a ratchetand a friction connection therefrom for rotating the drum, a

,manually operable lever pivotally mounted on the ratchet arranged when urged in one direction to act on the ratchet to rotatethe ratchet and drum in the wind-up direction, and arranged when urged inan opposite directionto be swung inwardly against the ratchet, a checking .device normally operative to prevent a reverse cable unwinding movement of the drum, and a device for locking the stock tube in operative position shiftable to release the tube and also to render the checking device inoperative. Y

5. A mechanism for feeding bar stock into an automaticscrew or similar machine having a'hollow work receiving spindle, which comprises a stock tube, supporting means in which the leading end of the tube can be swung laterally between an operative position in alignment with the spindle and a loading position out of alignment with the spindle, a pusher mounted within the stock tube, a drum and cable feeding device supported integrally with the tube and connected to advance the pusher, driving means including a feed ratchet and pawl and a yieldable connection for rotating the drum to advance successive portions of. the feeding bar stock into the machine, manual means for rotating the drum to position the leading end of a new bar of stock in the machine, a checking ratchet secured to'the drum, and a spring-pressed pawl engaging therewith to prevent a reverse cable unwinding movement of the drum, and locking means including a manually operable locking lever arranged for one position of the lever to lock the tube in operative position and arranged in an alternative position of the lever to release the tube for movement to the loading position and to engage with and move the spring-pressed pawl out of engagement with the checking ratchet.

6. A mechanism for feeding bar stock into an automatic screw or similar machine having a hollow work receiving spindle, and a, reciprocating feed slide, which comprises a stock tube, means supporting the stock tube in alignment with the spindle, a pusher mounted within the stock tube, adrum and cable feeding device connected to advance the pusher, a pawl and ratchet feed device, and a friction driving connection therefrom for advancing the drum, connections from the feed slide for reciprocating the pawl, and a checking ratchet secured to the drum and a pawl cooperating therewith to prevent a reverse cable unwinding movement of the drum.

7. A mechanism for feeding bar stock into an automatic screw or similar machine having a hollow work receiving spindle, a, reciprocating feed slide and a stop element acting when rendered operative .to stop the machine, which comprises a stock tube, a pusher mounted within the stock tube, a drum and cable feeding device connected to advance the pusher, a pawl and ratchet feeding device and a friction driving connection therefrom for advancing the drum, connections from the feed slide for reciprocating the pawl,,a checking pawl and ratchetoperative to prevent a reverse cable unwinding movement of the drum,

means controlled by the'pusher for stopping the machine upon exhaustion of thebar of stock f'eed- I ing therein comprising an abutment on'the pusher.

adjustable axially of the pusher in accordance with'the length of article produced in the ma-j chine, and a trip member "arranged'to'be engaged thereby for actuating the machine stop elelow work receiving spindle, a reciprocating feed slide, and a stop element acting when rendered operative to stop the machine, which comprises a stock tube, supporting means on which the leadingend of the tube is shiftable between an operative position in alignment with the spindle and a loading position out of alignment with the spindle, a pusher mounted within the stock tube, a drum and cable feeding device supported integrally with the tube and connected to advance the pusher, a feed ratchet and pawl, and a friction driving connection therefrom for advancing the drum, connections from the feed slide including a disconnectible feed link for reciprocating the pawl, manual means for rotating the drum, a ratchet and pawl checking device normally operative to prevent a reverse cable unwinding movement of the drum, an abutment carried by the pusher adjustable axially thereof in accordance with the length of article produced from the feeding bar stock, a trip member arranged to be engaged by said abutment for actuating the stop element to stop the machine upon exhaustion of a bar feeding in the machine, and a device for locking the tube in the operative position shiftable to release the tube and simultaneously to render the checking device inoperative.

9. A mechanism for feeding bar stock into an automatic screw or similar machine having a hollow work receiving spindle, a reciprocating feed slide, and a stop element acting when rendered operative to stop the machine, which comprises a stock tube, supporting means on which the leading end of the tube is shiftable between an operative position in alignment with the spindle and a loading position out of alignment with the spindle, a pusher mounted within the stock tube, a drum and cable feeding device supported integrally with the tube and connected to advance the pusher, a feed ratchet and pawl, and a friction drivin connection therefrom for advancing the drum, connections from the feed slide for reciprocating the pawl, manual means for rotating the drum, a ratchet and pawl checking device normally operative to prevent a reverse cable unwinding movement of the drum, an abutment carried by the pusher adjustable axially thereof in accordance with the length of article produced form the feeding bar stock, a trip member arranged to be engaged by said abutment for actuating the stop element to stop the machine upon 10 exhaustion of a bar feeding in the machine, and a device for locking the tube in the operative position shiftable to release the tube and simultaneously to render the checking device inorperative.

10. A mechanism for feeding bar stock into an automatic screw or similar machine having a hollow work receiving spindle, which comprises a stock tube, supporting means on which the leading end of the tube is shiftable between an operative position in alignment with the spindle and a loading position out of alignment with the spindle, a pusher mounted within the stock tube, a drum and cable feeding device supported integrally with the stock tube and connected to advance the pusher, a step feeding device actuated in timed relation with the operation of the machine, a friction driving connection therefrom for advancing the drum, manual means for rotating the drum, a checking device comprising a checking member shiftable between operative and inoperative positions and means yieldably engaging said checking member in the operative position to prevent reverse cable unwinding movement of the drum, and a device shiftable between locking and release positions comprising a locking means for the tube and means for rendering said checking device operative and inoperative adapted for the operative position of said device to lock the tube in the operative position and simultaneously to permit said yieldably actuated checking member t be moved to the operative position.

WILLIAM E. TWAMLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

